US6298675B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Estimation method for a vehicle having an engine and a cycling accessory device
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
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Filing: 2000-01-12
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Granted: 2001-10-09
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Expires: 2020-01-12
Abstract
Abstract A method for controlling cycling of an air conditioning compressor coupled to an internal combustion engine interrupts normal cycling based on operation conditions. In addition, normal engaged and disengaged cycling durations are adaptively estimated in real-time. The method of the present invention achieves improved fuel economy and improved drive feel. As an example, improved fuel economy is achieved by engaging the compressor during braking or when the engine is being driven by the vehicle. As another example, improved drive feel is achieved by engaging the compressor during transient conditions when drive feel is unaffected.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerhard A. Dage
- 👤 Allan Joseph Kotwicki
- 👤 George Blaha
- 👤 John David Russell
- 👤 Michael John Cullen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:05
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/02; F02D41/04; F02D41/08; F02D41/083; B; B60; B60H; B60H1/00; B60H1/32; B60H1/3204; B60H1/3205; B60H1/3208
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for determining an air conditioning compressor cycle engaged duration and disengaged duration of an air conditioning compressor, the method comprising: indicating a compressor cycle, in which the compressor is engaged and disengaged based on an air conditioning parameter, has been completed when the compressor is engaged based on said air conditioning parameter and subsequently disengaged based on said air conditioning parameter; determining the engaged duration and the disengaged duration in response to said indication; indicating an interrupted compressor cycle has been completed when the compressor is engaged based on an operating parameter other than said air conditioning pressure; and suspending said determination of the engaged duration and the disengaged duration in response to said indication of said interrupted compressor cycle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for determining an air conditioning compressor cycle engaged duration and disengaged duration of an air conditioning compressor, the method comprising: indicating a compressor cycle, in which the compressor is engaged and disengaged based on an air conditioning parameter, has been completed when the compressor is engaged based on said air conditioning parameter and subsequently disengaged based on said air conditioning parameter; determining the engaged duration and the disengaged duration in response to said indication; indicating an interrupted compressor cycle has been completed when the compressor is engaged based on an operating parameter other than said air conditioning pressure; and suspending said determination of the engaged duration and the disengaged duration in response to said indication of said interrupted compressor cycle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said operating parameter is a status of vehicle brake engagement.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for determining an air conditioning compressor cycle engaged duration and disengaged duration of an air conditioning compressor, the method comprising: indicating a compressor cycle, in which the compressor is engaged and disengaged based on an air conditioning parameter, has been completed when the compressor is engaged based on said air conditioning parameter and subsequently disengaged based on said air conditioning parameter; determining the engaged duration and the disengaged duration in response to said indication; and suspending said determining until a predetermined number of cycles are completed when air conditioning compressor cycling first begins.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for determining an air conditioning compressor cycle engaged duration and disengaged duration of an air conditioning compressor, the method comprising: indicating a compressor cycle, in which the compressor is engaged and disengaged based on an air conditioning parameter, has been completed when the compressor is engaged based on said air conditioning parameter and subsequently disengaged based on said air conditioning parameter; determining the engaged duration and the disengaged duration in response to said indication; and suspending said determining until a predetermined number of cycles are completed when air conditioning compressor cycling first begins.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for determining an air conditioning compressor cycle engaged duration and disengaged duration of an air conditioning compressor, the method comprising: indicating a compressor cycle, in which the compressor is engaged and disengaged based on an air conditioning parameter, has been completed when the compressor is engaged based on said air conditioning parameter and subsequently disengaged based on said air conditioning parameter; and learning the engaged duration and the disengaged duration in response to said indication as a function of air conditioning operating conditions.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for determining an air conditioning compressor cycle engaged duration and disengaged duration of an air conditioning compressor, the method comprising: indicating a compressor cycle, in which the compressor is engaged and disengaged based on an air conditioning parameter, has been completed when the compressor is engaged based on said air conditioning parameter and subsequently disengaged based on said air conditioning parameter; and learning the engaged duration and the disengaged duration in response to said indication as a function of air conditioning operating conditions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method recited in claim 4 wherein said air conditioning operating conditions include at least one of blower speed, desired cabin temperature, actual cabin temperature, ambient temperature, cabin humidity, and ambient humidity.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for determining an uninterrupted air conditioning compressor cycle engaged duration and disengaged duration of an air conditioning compressor, the method comprising: providing a first indication of an uninterrupted compressor cycle when the compressor is engaged based on air conditioning pressure and subsequently disengaged based on said air conditioning pressure; determining the engaged duration and the disengaged duration in response to said first indication; providing a second indication of an interrupted compressor cycle when the compressor is engaged or disengaged based on an operating parameter other than said air conditioning pressure; and suspending said determination of the engaged duration and the disengaged duration in response to said second indication.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for determining an uninterrupted air conditioning compressor cycle engaged duration and disengaged duration of an air conditioning compressor, the method comprising: providing a first indication of an uninterrupted compressor cycle when the compressor is engaged based on air conditioning pressure and subsequently disengaged based on said air conditioning pressure; determining the engaged duration and the disengaged duration in response to said first indication; providing a second indication of an interrupted compressor cycle when the compressor is engaged or disengaged based on an operating parameter other than said air conditioning pressure; and suspending said determination of the engaged duration and the disengaged duration in response to said second indication.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method recited in claim 6 wherein the engaged duration and the disengaged duration are an engaged time and a disengaged time, respectively.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method recited in claim 6 further comprising filtering the engaged duration and the disengaged duration.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method recited in claim 8 wherein said filtering is performed in response to said determining.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 6 wherein said operating parameter is a status of vehicle brake engagement.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method recited in claim 6 further comprising suspending said determining until a predetermined number of cycles are completed when air conditioning compressor cycling first begins.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method recited in claim 6 wherein said determining further comprises learning the engaged duration and the disengaged duration in response to said first indication as a function of air conditioning operating conditions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method recited in claim 12 wherein said air conditioning operating conditions include at least one of blower speed, desired cabin temperature, actual cabin temperature, ambient temperature, cabin humidity, and ambient humidity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
134 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a computer storage medium having a computer program encoded therein for determining an uninterrupted air conditioning compressor cycle engaged interval and disengaged interval of an air conditioning compressor, said computer storage medium comprising: code for providing a first indication of an uninterrupted compressor cycle when the compressor is engaged based on air conditioning pressure and subsequently disengaged based on said air conditioning pressure; code for estimating the engaged interval and the disengaged interval in response to said first indication; code for providing a second indication of an interrupted compressor cycle when the compressor is engaged or disengaged based on a vehicle operating parameter other than said air conditioning pressure; and code for suspending said estimation of the engaged interval and the disengaged interval in response to said second indication.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
134 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a computer storage medium having a computer program encoded therein for determining an uninterrupted air conditioning compressor cycle engaged interval and disengaged interval of an air conditioning compressor, said computer storage medium comprising: code for providing a first indication of an uninterrupted compressor cycle when the compressor is engaged based on air conditioning pressure and subsequently disengaged based on said air conditioning pressure; code for estimating the engaged interval and the disengaged interval in response to said first indication; code for providing a second indication of an interrupted compressor cycle when the compressor is engaged or disengaged based on a vehicle operating parameter other than said air conditioning pressure; and code for suspending said estimation of the engaged interval and the disengaged interval in response to said second indication.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The article recited in claim 14 further comprising code for enabling engagement or disengagement based on said vehicle operating parameter in response to at least on of said estimated engaged interval and said estimated disengaged interval.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The article recited in claim 15 wherein said vehicle operating parameter is at least one of brake actuation, change in throttle position, change in desired engine torque, engine braking, torque converter speed ratio, and traction control activation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The article recited in claim 16 further comprising code for learning the engaged interval and the disengaged interval in response to said first indication as a function of air conditioning operating conditions.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for determining and controlling an air conditioning compressor cycle engaged duration and disengaged duration of an air conditioning compressor, the method comprising: indicating a compressor cycle, in which the compressor is engaged and disengaged based on an air conditioning parameter, has been completed when the compressor is engaged based on said air conditioning parameter and subsequently disengaged based on said air conditioning parameter; calculating the engaged duration and the disengaged duration in response to said indication; and enabling subsequent engagement of the compressor based on at least one of said calculated engaged duration and disengaged duration.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for determining and controlling an air conditioning compressor cycle engaged duration and disengaged duration of an air conditioning compressor, the method comprising: indicating a compressor cycle, in which the compressor is engaged and disengaged based on an air conditioning parameter, has been completed when the compressor is engaged based on said air conditioning parameter and subsequently disengaged based on said air conditioning parameter; calculating the engaged duration and the disengaged duration in response to said indication; and enabling subsequent engagement of the compressor based on at least one of said calculated engaged duration and disengaged duration.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method recited in claim 18 wherein the engaged duration and the disengaged duration are an engaged time and a disengaged time, respectively.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method recited in claim 18 further comprising filtering the engaged duration and the disengaged duration.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method recited in claim 20 wherein said filtering is performed in response to said determining.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 18 wherein said air conditioning parameter is a pressure of an air conditioning fluid.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-10-08 | 2005-04-09 | 2005-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-10-08 | 2009-04-09 | 2009-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-10-08 | 2013-04-09 | 2013-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |